FRANCE & Italy
Sardinia & Corsica

Sardinia has glorious beaches, dramatic cliffs, fascinating prehistoric sites and a wild interior roamed by shepherds. The churches, where Christianity and paganism mix, are part of Sardinia's fabulous mystique. On our coastal rambles, mountain hikes and cultural exploration, we discover the best of this alluring island where we are never far from the glistening blue sea. We catch the ferry for a short trip across the Straits of Bonifacio to Corsica.

It is a mountainous island, 170km south of the French mainland. It has an extraordinarily diverse landscape and is often referred to as the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean. Our carefully chosen route enables us to discover some of the most majestic mountain scenery, a spectacular coastline with vertiginous cliffs and wonderful sandy beaches. We are welcomed by the friendly ambience which has evolved through the island’s distinctive culture, language, cuisine and way of life.

We are treated to a great variety of vegetation and its visual effect enhances the wild beauty of the island and makes it a botanists’ paradise. Our guided walk will take us past tumbling rivers, through forests of pine, silver birch and chestnuts, across hillsides of lavender, rosemary, thyme and an aromatic undergrowth that the locals call the Maquis, from which the French Resistance took its name. Our walk will include some stretches of the Fra Li Monti - the legendary GR 20 long distance walking trail as well as some of the Mare a Mare trails which cross the island.

We walk a section of the Sentier du Littoral. We discover the wonderful rock garden of Les Calanches in the Golfe de Porto. In the heart of the Regional Nature Park of Corsica, it has been listed World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. From Piana we explore the incredible Golo Valley as well as the beautiful Capo Rosso and Capo d’Orto. Each day we return to the comfort of our hotel and enjoy the delicious local cuisine.

Our Hotels & Cuisine

In Sardinia, our beautiful family-run hotel is in an impressive rural setting below the Sopramonte massif. The architecture is distinctively Sardinian and the hotel's restaurant is famed for its Sardinian specialities. On the inlet at Porto Conte our hotel overlooks a romantic blue bay.

The following 3 days we stay in the fascinating town of Bonifacio. It is perched on a spectacular cliff top at the southern tip of the island and is the most Genoese of Corsican towns. Set out along the walls of the Bonifacio ramparts, our hotel is situated in a quiet location on the harbour with lovely views across the water and to the old town. Each night we discover the delights of the Corsican cuisine by visiting the best local restaurants in this fascinating old port.

The next 2 nights we stay in St Florent in the northwest, just at the base of Cap Corse. St Florent is a charming seaside town in the Nebbio region and not far from the vineyards of Patrimonio. Our cosy hotel in St Florent has a wonderful atmosphere. Local traditions, modern comfort, excellent cuisine, and tastefully furnished premises make it an ideal base for us to explore the superb countryside.

The final 4 nights we stay in a hotel in Piana. It is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooking the Mediterranean and the famous Calanches. Our restaurant has wonderful sea views and offers fresh fish from the Gulf, often made into “aziminu” (bouillabaisse or fish soup), chevre and brebi cheese, charcuterie, various pastas and delicious salads.

Ferries from various ports in Italy crossing over to Sardinia several times per day; Napoli, Civitavecchia near Rome, Livorno and Genoa. Alternatively, to keep it simple, it is also possible to travel by plane.

Tour combination

Departure dates have been arranged to allow both the "FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN" and "THE SECRETS OF PROVENCE" walks to be combined.